The Newcastle Jets are on the cusp of making history this weekend, with a chance to secure a club-record fifth consecutive victory in the A-League Men's competition. As they prepare to face the Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium, the team is drawing inspiration from their memorable 2017-18 campaign, which captured the hearts of the Hunter region.
Local Talent Dreams of Finals Redux
Forward Xavier Bertoncello, a New Lambton native who grew up attending Jets games with his grandfather, vividly recalls the electric atmosphere of that season. "I remember being in the grandstand seeing Riley McGree, the Scorpion kick," Bertoncello reminisced. "I want to try and reciprocate that this year, and go to the finals with the Jets. It's something I was always dreaming of as a little kid."
Now a key player in the Jets' lineup, Bertoncello has enjoyed a breakout season, scoring in last week's 4-1 win over Wellington. His journey from fan to footballer underscores the deep local connections fueling the team's resurgence.
Crowd Numbers Poised to Surge
During the 2017-18 season, the Jets attracted crowds exceeding 10,000 on ten occasions, including their home grand final. However, such figures have been elusive since 2019. With Newcastle currently sitting second on the ladder, just one point behind leaders Auckland, there is optimism that Saturday's match could see a return to those heady attendance levels.
"It's looking like it's building," Bertoncello noted, referencing last weekend's crowd of around 8,500. "Hopefully we can get about 10,000 this weekend and just keep building off each three points."
Milligan Emphasises Ambition and Growth
Head coach Mark Milligan is cautiously optimistic about his team's prospects. "It's another chance for them to put their best foot forward," he stated. "In our game, things happen quickly, and this group, one thing we've drilled into them from the very beginning, is that we want them to be ambitious."
Milligan highlighted the importance of continuous improvement, both on and off the pitch. "It's very, very important that we keep growing. We want to keep raising those standards and that intensity. I still think there's growth both physically and from a football sense left in this side."
Earning the Right to Support
The coach acknowledged the potential for increased fan engagement but stressed that performances must justify the excitement. "Fantastic for the region," Milligan said. "We know how big football is in this region, and from the very beginning we've made no secret that we want fans to come. But we have to go and earn that right for them to come and watch us."
He pointed to the core group of Newcastle-born players as a key factor in building a team that truly represents the local community. "We've got a good core group of boys here now who are from Newcastle ... and hopefully we are starting to become a team that represents the region."
Roar Challenge Awaits
Standing in the Jets' way are the Brisbane Roar, who have struggled recently with four losses in their past five matches. Despite this, the Roar defeated Newcastle 3-0 in their previous encounter on the Sunshine Coast in November. That loss was part of a challenging period for the Jets, who have since rebounded spectacularly, winning seven of their last nine games to climb the ladder.
As the Jets aim to etch their names into the club's record books, the match promises to be a pivotal moment in their season. With local pride and historical achievement on the line, Newcastle will look to channel the spirit of 2017-18 and deliver a performance that resonates throughout the Hunter.
